Mothers’ march for justice at Baltimore hospital

Thousands of Johns Hopkins Hospital workers and their supporters gathered in Baltimore’s downtown and staged a Mother’s March and Rally for Justice on May 10 to protest poverty wages. Service Employees 1199 union members are demanding $15 an hour after 15 years on the job. The workers staged a three-day strike April 9-11 to show hospital management how much the low-paid technicians and workers were needed.

Simone Hicks, a worker, spoke eloquently from the stage about how she was paid so little that she was living in a homeless shelter. Actors Danny Glover and “The Wire’s” Wendell Pierce both spoke. SEIU International President Mary Kaye Henry pledged the full support of the union to this fight to end poverty for more than 2,000 workers at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Baltimore “We Deserve Better” Workers Assembly organized a popular contingent under the banner of “Dr. King: ‘Raise Workers’ Wages Now!’”

Johns Hopkins is the second-largest employer in Baltimore. For more information see hardshipathopkins.org.